Delhi’s Women in Distress Pension Scheme Tightened—25,000 Ineligible Cases Uncovered

Delhi Women and Child Development (WCD) department identified and removed around 25,000 ineligible women from Delhi Pension Scheme to Women in Distress as part of a large-scale verification drive. The scheme providing ₹2,500 per month to widows, divorced, separated, abandoned, and destitute women aged 18 years and above had about 3.5 lakh beneficiaries. The authorities cited instances of remarried women, better paid, and others not residing at registered addresses being falsely paid. Verification, commenced last October, was intended to establish that only genuinely poor women are receiving help. Pension disbursements were postponed throughout but are now proceeding for verified recipients, with monies disbursed to three districts with others in the near future to be sent. AAP has criticized the BJP government for payment delays and demanded an immediate release of pending pensions. Sources: Indian Express, Times of India